Review — Performance & Use

Across UK farmland and pasture, the Minelab Equinox 900 has proven itself as a versatile upgrade over the 800. Detectorists on UK forums consistently report its improved target separation and faster recovery speed in iron-littered fields. In freshly ploughed and harrowed land, the 900’s stability and depth performance have been noted as a step up from earlier models, particularly in Field 1 mode where depth is maximised without excessive chatter.

Joan Allen’s independent review highlighted the ergonomic improvements — a lighter shaft assembly and refined armrest make long detecting sessions less fatiguing. The expanded target ID resolution gives more confidence in distinguishing between high-conductive silvers and deep, thin copper coins. Users on metaldetectingforum.co.uk also praise its new rolling noise-cancel feature, which automatically adjusts to EMI conditions, something particularly useful near overhead power lines or electric fences common in UK pasture.

On wet UK plough, where many machines struggle, reports suggest the 900 maintains good stability provided sensitivity is balanced conservatively. Field 2 mode offers faster responses for smaller hammered coins but can be more reactive to ground noise in mineralised soils. Experienced users recommend pairing the machine with the 6-inch coil in these conditions for pinpoint separation between close targets.

The Beach mode remains capable on UK wet sand, though this is clearly not the detector’s primary environment. Most UK detectorists using the 900 are farmland and pasture focused, and for these terrains, the consensus is that it strikes a balance between depth, speed, and comfort that’s hard to beat in its price bracket.